To safeguard the occupational safety of foreign workers, South Korea’s Ministry of Employment and Labor (MoEL) announced the release of multilingual Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) and Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS) training materials in 17 languages. Effective immediately, businesses are mandated to use these resources to conduct compulsory safety training for foreign employees handling chemicals.

On March 19, 2025, The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) announced significant advancements in chemical regulation following the first joint meeting of its Risk Assessment Committee (RAC) and Socio-Economic Analysis Committee (SEAC) in 2025. The committees reached multiple technical consensuses on key issues, including the proposed restriction of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), marking a new phase in the EU’s chemical regulatory framework.

The Korea Environment Corporation (KECO) announced the initiation of its 2025 Existing Chemical Substances Full-support Program, designed to provide comprehensive assistance for joint registrations of Phase 3 (annual production 10-100 tons) chemical substances.

On February 27, 2025, South Korea’s Ministry of Environment (MOE) and Ministry of Justice (MOJ) jointly announced at a press conference that a compliance grace period program under the Act on the Registration and Evaluation of Chemicals (K-REACH) will take effect starting February 28. The policy aims to provide companies that have failed to fulfill chemical management obligations with a rectification window, allowing them to avoid criminal and financial penalties through voluntary reporting.

On 25 February 2025, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) announced a public consultation to collect information regarding Candidates for Substitution. The consultation will remain open until 28 April 2025.

The Ministry of Environment (MOE) in South Korea announced proposed revisions to the Enforcement Regulations of the Chemical Substances Control Act (K-CCA) and is now seeking public feedback. Stakeholders, including institutions, organizations, and individuals, may submit comments through the Integrated Legislation Notice Center (http://opinion.lawmaking.go.kr) by March 25, 2025.

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has concluded that DINP and DIDP pose no unreasonable risks to consumers, the general population, or the environment. The EPA published the final risk evaluation for diisononyl phthalate (DINP) and diisodecyl phthalate (DIDP) in January 2025. These two plasticizers are widely used in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) products. Both evaluations concluded that, under current usage practices, these chemicals pose no unreasonable risks to consumers, the general population, or the environment.

On February 6, 2025, Advocate General Ćapeta of the EU Court delivered an opinion on the appeal regarding the carcinogenic classification of titanium dioxide, supporting the positions of the European Commission and the French government and arguing that the previous ruling should be overturned. Previously, the European Commission's decision to classify titanium dioxide as a "suspected human carcinogen (Category 2 carcinogen) that may cause cancer through inhalation" was annulled by the General Court.

On February 11, 2025, the EU's Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) took effect, marking a significant move towards a more sustainable and circular economy. The regulation aims to minimize packaging waste, improve environmental performance, and promote greener practices in the packaging industry. It covers the entire packaging lifecycle, from production to disposal, and encourages innovation in eco-friendly packaging solutions.

On February 6, 2025, Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry announced a revision to the import procedures under the Chemical Substances Control Law, aimed at strengthening the management of specific hazardous chemicals.